NZ Landcare Trust (NZLT) welcomed Liz Evans to her new role as a trustee for the organisation at a recent board meeting in Wellington. Mrs. Evans is also the new National President of Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) and it is in this capacity that she has taken on the additional mantle with the Trust.

Mrs. Evans will continue the excellent work of former RWNZ representative Margaret Chapman, who stepped down from NZ Landcare Trust’s Board of Trustees after her three year term as president of RWNZ came to an end in May.

In addition to her leadership of a national organisation, Mrs. Evans brings with her a strong rural background, having lived and worked on her family’s sheep and beef farm in Marlborough for more than 30 years.

“Our farming practice is about  managing the land to achieve the best possible productive results  within the constraints of a challenging high country environment,”Mrs Evans said.

“Sustainable and protective land use is also one of Rural Women New Zealand’s key policy portfolio areas.”

Mrs Evans interest in sustainable land management and conservation is inspired by her family’s 3,700 ha holding in the upper Waihopai Valley, where she, husband Geoff and son David farm Merino sheep and Angus cattle.  They voluntarily retired 500 hectares of high country in the 1980’s to restore eroded areas of the farm in partnership with the then Marlborough Catchment Board.

There are seven well respected national organisations represented on the NZLT Board of Trustees: Federated Farmers; Fish & Game; Ecologic Foundation; Forest & Bird; Federation of Maori Authorities; Federated Mountain Clubs; Rural Women. They all share an interest in sustainable land management and ensuring New Zealand retains a healthy, productive rural landscape.

Board of Trustees Chair Richard Thompson says, “One of NZ Landcare Trust's greatest strengths is the ability to unify the interests of such a broad range of organisations."